Four color weaving loom



p 11, 1956 "r. ClARLONl 2,762,400

FOUR COLOR WEAVING LOOM Filed May 25, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR EL L /0 [2424 o/v/ ,%MV/MM ATTORNEKY Sept. 11, 1956 T. CIARLONI 2,762,400

FOUR COLOR WEAVING LOOM Filed May 25, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR 5 Z/LL/o GAELO/V/ ATTORNEYS United States Patent ice FOUR COLOR WEAVING LOOM Tullio Ciarloni, Costamasnaga, Italy, assignor to Ateliers de Construction de Ruti S. A., Ruti Zurich, Switzerland Application May 25', 1951, Serial No. 228,303 Claims priority, application Italy December 2, 1950 9 Claims. (Cl. 139-232) The present invention relates to a four colours Weaving loom wherein, on both sides thereof, there are mounted four boxes for receiving the corresponding shuttles, said boxes having mounted thereon means automatically changing spent shuttles.

It is known that in the conventional four colours weaving looms, there are four shuttle boxes on one side of the loom, and only one box on the opposite side. Therefore, when it is desired to change the colour of the shuttle, it is necessary to have such shuttle returned to the box which belongs to the set of four boxes, so as to make way in the single box on the opposite side, for the shuttle with the new colour it is desired to insert in the next weft.

This makes it necessary to insert for each colour an even number of weft picks due to the above mentioned necessity of always returning the shuttle to the same side before changing the colour. This necessity had to be kept in mind in designing new patterns for such looms and constituted a hindrance limiting the variety of the patterns.

The present invention avoids the above inconvenience inasmuch as it provides four shuttle boxes on each side of the loom so that the weft picks in any one colour may also be in an uneven number.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a device for the automatic changing of the spent shuttles, said device being controlled by four feelers applied to the shuttles, at the side opposite the one on which there is provided the changing device.

The accompanying drawing illustrates in a very diagrammatical way and merely by way of an example, the characteristic devices of the present invention, that are applicable to looms otherwise of any known or preferred type.

In the drawing:

Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate, in a front and side view respectively, the device that controls the stopping of the loom and the starting of the shuttle changing.

Fig. 3 shows diagrammatically the shuttle changing mechanism which includes ensemble of cams and levers controlling the freeing of the shuttles to be changed in the inside of their respective box, as Well as the members effecting the ejection of the spent shuttle, and the successive starting of the loom, upon said changing being completed and the cams and levers controlling the shuttle magazines for paying out a new shuttle to replace the spent one.

Fig. 4 illustrates a front view of the ensemble of the shuttle clamping blades or strips provided on the four shuttle boxes.

Fig. 5 is a plan View, from above, of a detail of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 represents a detail of the shuttle transfer arm, and

Fig. 7 represents, in side view and in profile, a detail of the control lever for starting the loom.

The loom, according to the invention, is of standard construction and includes the usual and known members 2,762,400 Patented Sept. 11, 1956 of a weaving loom which, having no particular relation to this invention, are neither illustrated in the attached drawing nor described specifically in the following application. In the drawing, the shuttles are indicated at N; as shown in Figure 3. The shuttles are four in number, each carrying a thread of different colour, and can rest in one of the four shuttle boxes, on either side of the loom. In each of these boxes, the shuttles are frictionally arrested by means of blades or strips 20 (see Figs. 4 and 5) which resiliently press against the shuttles as the shuttles abut them. Said shuttles are then driven out for the return stroke by a conventional shuttle picking member, and when it is desired to replace a spent shuttle, the strips 20 are lowered to free the shuttle and drop it out from the respective box to make way for the new shuttle.

As has been said, the changing of the shuttle takes place automatically under electric control actuated by a feeler combined with each shuttle. Whenever such a placement is necessary, the loom is stopped for a few minutes until the different members, operated in sequence by reciprocal inter-action, and by the pull of an electromagnet, have performed the necessary substitution, whereupon the loom is automatically started again and the weaving takes place according to the predetermined pattern.

In Figs. 1 and 2 are illustrated the levers which are actuated by the electromagnet excited through the operation of the above mentioned feelers, and from these members are originated all the movements that effect the automatic changing of the shuttle. In said figures there is clearly illustrated a lever 2, pivoted at 3 and connected by rod 4 with the slay driving members. On said lever 2, there is secured an electromagnet 1. Lever 2 swings in synchronism with the reciprocating movement of the slay. On each shuttle there are applied in a known way, feelers that signal when the shuttle is spent, by closing a circuit for exciting electromagnet 1. Upon energizing of said electromagnet 1, it pulls the rear extension of an arm 5, which then takes the position indicated in full lines in Fig. 2, while in its rest position, said arm drops to the position 5, shown in dotted lines. The swinging motion of lever 2 is translated to the arm so that when lever 2 snaps in the attracted position pulled by the electromagnet 1, the free end of said arm 5 will act on the left hand side (see Fig. 1) of a lever 6, mounted rotatably on shaft 7, and which on the other side carries fast two flexible Bowden type control cables 8, 9 extended in opposite directions. The rotation of lever 6 on shaft 7, actuated by arm 5, causes the slackening of cable 8, which brings about the stopping of the loom, while cable 9 is tensioned and closes a circuit (not shown) that sets in motion shaft 15, which, through a set of cams and levers operates the substitution of the shuttle, as described hereunder more in detail.

The stopping of the loom by effect of the slackening of cable 8 shall not be described as this operation is already known and applied in the conventional looms.

Lever 6 has an offset extension 6', extended downwardly and adapted to strike against a block 10 fast with shaft 7 which in turn is rigidly connected with another block 11. Said block 11 has an angle arm 12 protruding upwardly and on which there is fixed a manually operable loom stopping rod 13. That is, when it is desired to mantric motor, causes the rotation of shaft 15, whereon there are keyed cams 63, 16, 27, 29, 60, 51 and 45. Each of .later on.

said cams actuates a corresponding lever which all, in combination with other members cause:

(a) The release of the strips or blades from the stationary l1uttle boxes, so as to allow the free m9??- T a -ia 'n uiQ to e svb t fl e "'fbYThe ejectibn of'the spent shuttle;

1c) The "actuation of the 'shuttle"fn1ag a zine for the extraction of'the newishuttle, to substitute the ejected (d) The transfer of the new shuttle from the magazine to the box and (e) The starting again ,of the loom.

The movement of the shuttle clamping strips is effected as follows: As it is apparent from Figsfft and 5, the four boxes arranged at one side ofthe loom, are each provided with a strip 20 which usually bears strongly against the correspondingshuttle, when it enters the respective box.""Thestrips are carried on a frame 19'. Said frame 19' is 'provided'with dovetailed blocks 21, slida'hle Within guides 22 fast to the shuttle boxes support. when it is desired to substitute a spent shuttle, 'itis necessary to release the strips 20 from the shuttles N. This release is effected by mea'ns of a fork 23, pivoted onframe 19' and "passing withits two arms in'thespace between the first two and the last two strips 20. The two arms'of said fork 23, terminate with two small bars 2 3 that pass beneaththe four strips 20'. On said fork there is also fastened theend of ailexible'cable transmission 24, controlling the movement'of said fork, the other end of the cable being fastened to lever 26, actuated by cam 27 (see Fig; 3). Upon said fork 23 being lowered through the actuation of transmission cable 24, itsbars 23' slide over the inclined inside surface of strips 20and force them to displace from their normal position, until they strike the stop rod 25', passing vertically above four strips.

Thus the strips 20 have been displaced "thereby releasing 'the'shuttles'N, and the strip frame 19 can now bel'owered without being hindered by said strips. Shuttle N'is thus freed and can be substituted as it will be'explained 'Cam 16 rotating with shaft 15 acts on lever 17, pivoted at 18, which causes the lowering of rod 19, carrying the strip support'co nstitutedas already mentioned, byjframe .19. In this way, under control of themeinbers actuated by the two cams 16, and 27, the spent shuttle is freed.

At this time, the spent shuttle is ejected from its respectivebox. Tothis 'end,'there is provided on shaft 15 a cam 29 acting onlever 30'and transmitting themovement to arms 31 and 32 which bring aboutthe swinging of the expellers 33 of the shuttles Which push it over an inclined tray 28' (see'Fig; 3)"that picks up the falling "shuttle to forward it to the collecting box:

successively, one of magazines34 -(see Fig. 3) and namely the one containing shuttles with the same thread colour as the spent shuttle, is lowered. Magazines -34 (see Fig. 3) are kept lifted by springs 35 and are conn'ectedwith said springs'and supported "by means of'a system of rods and links 36,37, 38' and 39. Rods 39'te'rminate with small links 40 having their ends shaped in a suitable way, so as to allow the slidi'ngover themof the head of the end of 'a rod 41 of a dobby, pivoted at 42, which receives its movement from arm43 and lever'44, actuated by cam 45 already mentioned, and also keyed 'on'shaft 15. The connecting rod 41 of the dobby oscillates within a slotted guide provided on the end of links .40 and receives its movement through a connecting rod 46 which is synchronized with the box movement whereby there is obtained the automatic selection of the colour.

In this respectwhen the loom is stopped, the connecting rod .41 is arrested on the link controllingthe lowering of the magazine containing the same colour as the shuttle to be replaced, whereby the cam 45brin'gs'about the lowering yr the wanted shuttle.

' At'this'" point, the'tr'ansfer' of the new shuttle from the agan, t'ethe box" is enema; par ana -r is provided an arm 47 which (see Figs 3 and 6) is in the rest position, in front of the magazines and receives the impulse through a system of levers 48, 49 and 50 actuated by cam 51, also keyed on shaft 15. Arm 47 terminates in a L-shaped holder 52, 53 (see Fig. 6) on which rests a vertical pushing blade 54, steadily maintained in its fully retracted position by a spring 55, coiled on a small stem 56 passing through a hole of the holder 53. A link 57 is pivoted on said stem and is articulated on an arm 47, so as to be pulled by a cable 58, the otherend of which isfastened to lever 59 (see Fig. 3), one arm of which rests on cam 60 which is also keyed on shaft 15. Arm 47, while advancing, causes its flat portion 52 to strike against the last shuttle of the now lowered magazine so that same is taken out and carried to the mouth of the empty box C. At this instant cam 60 comes into action and, through lever 59, cable 58, arm 57 and stem 56 imparts to the vertical blade 54 a sudden forward motion so asto thrust the shuttle to rest on the bottom of the box i. e. in the working position.

As soon as this sequence of operation is completed, the 'lo'orn is'started again; to effect this, the angle lever 61, pivoted at 62 (see Figs. 3 and 7) is actuated by cam 63 which causes sa'me tosnap as soon as the operations of the different members are completed. Lever 61 ends with an articulated extension 64 hinged so as to be allow ed to 'bendonly forwardly, and is maintained in the uprightposition by a spring 65, assembled on the hinge pivot. Upon actuation, of lever 61, its extension 64 strikes against the wing 14 thus causing the rotation of shaft 7, thereby starting the loom and stopping the mechanism concerning the replacement of the shuttle. In the back travel to the rest position, extension 64 of lever 61 strikes against wing 14 but can by-pass same as it can yield thanks to" its articulation. Any hindrance that mighthappeu in the loom during the substitution of the shuttle causes the automatic stopping of the whole loom by means of alreadyknown devices, that are therefore not described further. A

Of course, as already mentioned, all the parts now described are illustrated in the way'of example and the ensemble of the machine may vary in its designwithout therefore departing from the scope of the present invention. i

What I claim is:

1. In a shuttle changing loom having a lay operating with a plurality of weaving shuttles, each having a thread of a different colour from the others, a plurality of first shuttle boxes disposed on one side of the loom, a similar number of second shuttle boxes disposed on the opposite sidejof the loom, said first and second shuttle boxes receiving the shuttlesfshuttle magazines mounted at the side of the loom with the second shuttle boxes, means associated with each shuttle for indicating when the shuttle is spent, electromagnetic means responsive to said foregoing means for automatically stopping the loom, means associated with the s'econ'd shuttle boxes for freeing and ejecting the: spent shuttle from its associated second shuttle box, means for transferring a fu'll'shnttle, carrying thread of the same colour as that carried by the spent shuttle, from the'magazinfe to the box vacated by the spent shuttle, means for restarting the loom when the replacement shuttleis in the box and'motor driven cam means actuated by said electromagnetic means for sequentially actu- "ating said last three mentioned means.

2. In a shuttle changing loom having a lay operating with a plurality of weavingshuttles, each having a thread of a different'colour from the others, a plurality of first shuttle boxes disposed on one side of the loom, a similar number of second shuttle boxes disposed on the opposite side' of the loom, said first and second shuttle boxes receiving theshuttles, shuttle magazines mounted at the side of the'loo'm with the second shuttle boxes, means associated with each shuttle for indicating when the shuttle spent, electromagnetic means responsive to saidforegoing means for automatically stopping the loom, means associated with the second shuttle boxes for freeing and ejecting the spent shuttle from its associated second shuttle box, means for transferring a full shuttle, carrying thread of the same colour as that carried by the spent shuttle, from the magazine to the box vacated by the spent shuttle, means for restarting the loom when the replacement shuttle is in the box and means actuated by said electromagnetic means for sequentially actuating said last three mentioned means, said actuating means including a motor driven rotating cam shaft and cams arranged thereon for successive operation with a cam sequentially actuating each of said last three mentioned means.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein clamping blades are mounted in each of the second boxes to arrest the shuttles, a frame supporting the blades in the boxes, and means slidably mounting the frame, said last means sliding responsive to said freeing and ejecting means to free the spent shuttle.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said means for freeing and ejecting the spent shuttle includes a member connected to the blades to free the blades from the spent shuttles and connected to the frame to slide the frame relative to its box.

5. A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said freeing and ejecting means includes an inclined tray communieating with the boxes, an expeller for pushing the spent shuttle into the tray and lever means actuated by one of the cams on the camshaft for operating the expeller.

6. A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the transferring means includes means normally supporting the magazines above the loom, and means for lowering the magazine containing the shuttle with the desired color under actuation of one of the cams.

7. A device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the transferring means further includes a pusher blade actuated by one of the cams, an arm actuated by another of the cams, flexible means connecting the said cam and arm and moving said arm to eject the desired shuttle from the magazine, said pusher blade thrusting the shuttle into the box vacated by the spent shuttle.

8. A device as claimed in claim 6, wherein said means for restarting the loom includes a 'lever having a pivoted extension, means connecting one of the cams with the lever so that rotation of the cam moves the lever, a starting rod for the loom and an offset on the rod against which the extension strikes as the lever is moved to start the loom, the extension moving freely back to its normal position.

9. A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the means for sensing when a shuttle is spent includes an oscillating lever connected to the control members of the lay and actuated thereby, said electromagnetic means being secured to the lever, a second lever, a cable transmission, means responsive to said electromagnetic means for rotating the second lever, which actuates the cable transmission and means responsive to the operation of the cable transmission for rotating the cam shaft.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 636,707 Baker et al. Nov. 7, 1899 1,484,812 Crompton Feb. 26, 1924 1,891,318 Poncet Dec. 20, 1932 2,059,357 Jewett Nov. 3, 1936 2,126,061 Turner Aug. 9, 1938 2,131,114 Morin et al. Sept. 27, 1938 2,149,692 Tirrell Mar. 7, 1939 2,149,693 Tirrell Mar. 7, 1939 2,560,687 Delaroiere July 17, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS 828,110 France Feb. 7, 1938 

